In an email obtained by KUSI, La Jolla Country Day School Head of School Gary Krahn explains that he has “talked with that student who now understands why that hat is offensive to our community.” The offensive hat in question was a MAGA hat, in support of President Trump.
The email goes on to say, “He will not wear it again. In addition his mom said that she is embarrassed by his actions. She will fulfill her role as a parent. We will continue to grow as a community that sees and values the dignity of all people.”
The email was sent to all staff at the school.
KUSI also reports that there is no rule against political attire in the school’s dress code or Parent/Student Handbook, which is available to read here. In the 4 years that Donald Trump has been President, we have seen unprecedented levels of viewpoint discrimination, and this is another troubling example.
I am shocked at the attitude towards a student wearing a hat in support of the President. Khan saying, “we will continue to grow as a community that sees and values the dignity of all people,” implies that a MAGA hat is contradictory to those views. This despite the fact that the President has an extremely diverse base of supporters and has denounced hate, bigotry, and racism on multiple occasions. There is nothing “offensive” about a MAGA hat.
The issue of viewpoint discrimination, especially against conservatives, is widespread. Countless students across the country have been reprimanded for wearing pro-trump gear to school, and many of them have gone as far as taking the issue to court. We live in a country that was founded on the principle of freedom. The fact that we are living in a time where students don’t even have the freedom to wear clothes in support of the President would’ve been unimaginable to our Founding Fathers.
I encourage everyone to contact the Head of School and tell him that San Diegans do not support viewpoint shaming and discrimination. His email is gkrahn@ljcds.org
